107A LB243 LPS Testimony
Education Committee
- Senator Lynne Walz, Chairperson
- Senator Adam Morfeld, Vice Chairperson
- Senator Jen Day Senator
- Senator Lou Ann Linehan
- Senator Terrell McKinney
- Senator Dave Murman
- Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
- Senator Rita Sanders
Good afternoon, Chairperson Walz and distinguished members of the Education Committee.
My name is Kathy Danek, K-A-T-H-Y, D-A-N-E-K. I am the president of the Lincoln Board of Education. I am here today to speak in support of Senator Bostar’s Access College Early Tech Promise Program Act and applaud his efforts to support the smooth transition for students from high school to college in career areas that are both economically viable for the student and vital to the economic development of the state of Nebraska.
This bill does not directly support the students while they are in public, K12 setting, but it will play an important role in facilitating students’ “next steps.” All across the state, many high school students participate in career academies or career preparation programs offer early access to college career courses in career areas of high demand.
Unfortunately, most students graduate from high school prior to completing community college degrees or career certification. This requires them to continue in college to finish the work that they began in high school.
We know that students who complete their community college degree or career professional certification close to home are more likely to stay and live in their local communities. A program to helps students complete the degree or career certification after high school brings to fruition the community’s investment in early college career course opportunities in high schools and career academies and keep skilled workers close to home. For example, this would keep well-prepared and skilled individuals in the fields of precision metals manufacturing, biosciences, agriculture, business management and administrative services, software and computer services, research, development, and engineering services, health services and many more living and working in Nebraska.
If the Access to College Early Teach Promise Program Act becomes law, it would help many students who may not otherwise have the chance to make smooth and unbroken transitions to post-secondary education career courses and complete their degree and certifications. This act would play a vital role in their long-term success, the long-term success of their family and the long-term success of Nebraska.
